Aloha, this is my first time so be gentle. I’m wondering if anyone has had experience with both engineered wood flooring and laminate flooring. I’m trying to decide which to put down in a dining room with a cement slab. I’ve heard a lot of varying opinions from flooring outlets and I’m leaning towards laminate. Mainly for ease of installation, cost, wear and maintinance. Also we live in an area where termites and moisture are a concern. Having said all that, I recently discovered that laminate can sometimes feel like walking on carpet and/or have soft spots. Personally, I like tile, but you gotta go with the flow. Does anybody have the low down?
Mahalo!
Replies
Joe,
You're probably wondering "Where is all the great advice?!" I'm betting one reason you've not gotten any responses is because this topic has been discussed at great length. You should try a search. I suggest "laminate floor" for search terms (but I haven't tried it, so you may need to experiment).
I have no experience with laminate or engineered flooring, so I can't answer your question.
Best of luck,
Rich Beckman
Joe,
I have been doing research on which to use. I also have a concrete floor where I tore out the carpet in every room and painted the concrete 11 years ago. Now it's time for something new. I go to flooring stores and do a key test on their samples where I take a key and scratch them with light to medium pressure. If I can see the mark the key made it is not a candidate. Real wood is the worst. So far the only floor that has passed the key test is the Armstrong (I can't recall the model) that Loews sells. It is a laminate that is pretty good looking. I really scratched this one hard because medium pressure did not leave a mark so I thought hmmmm. Still no mark! Admittedly it is not as attractive as real wood but it's the most attractive laminate I've seen. I'd be willing to trade some looks for more durability. I am a firm believer that a house/car/boat/etc. should require as little maintenance as possible.
If you have class you will go with wood
If you don't you will go with plastic
Not rocket science
Gabe
Aloha,
Could the "soft spots" be because the product if a floater? If that's a concern, then consider a glue down.
I think all laminates look pretty bad. Seriously. Then again, looks are very high on my list when considering flooring, as it's something that will be the main focus of a room. If looks aren't important to you, or if laminates look good to you, then...there you go!
Many engineered woods are quite tough. Realize that the harder the wood that makes up the show layer, the tougher it will be to scratch/dent that wood. Bamboo or brazilian cherry would be tougher to scratch than pine, for instance. Realize that the tougher the factory applied finish, the tougher it will be to scratch the finish. Though they've improved over the past 1`0 years, many of the low-end products still have a finish that's pretty poor.
Look into some of the pre-finished woods that have an aluminum oxide factory applied finish. I think it's an excellent finish.
Regardless, if moisture is a problem, you have a bunch of prep work before you proceed with either a float of a gluedown.
I put in the armstrong in my kitchen. Little lady had to have it. We used the slightly thicker version you can get at flooring stores. Install was a bitch, mostly due to the shape of the room, the island, etc.
Pluses: durability, cleanup, and it is a bit soft to walk on.
minuses: installation, and the fact that it only looks like wood at first glance.
Bottom line though, is that the boss lady loves it. You remember the ad where the muddy kid and dog blaze through the kitchen? Make that two big muddy dogs and you have the picture. I think when we throw this floor away someday, I'll lobby harder for real wood though.